Reduction of Febrile Response to Bacterial Polysaccharide Following Incubation With Serum

Abstract

Effect of incubation of fresh rabbit serum with a bacterial polysaccharide from S. marcescens on pyrogenicity was examined in normal and tolerant rabbits. In contrast to a number of other reports, no evidence of augmentation of pyrogenicity was obtained; in fact, inhibition of pyrogenicity was frequently seen, particularly in the tolerant animals. Increasing the time of incubation or the amount of serum resulted in further reduction of pyrogenicity. Heating the serum to 68–70°C, but not to 58°C altered this effect on pyrogenic action.